XU Liang Leon is a lecturer in the School of Architecture of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture degree. Prior to this, he received his professional education in Civil Engineering and Architecture and practised as an architectural designer in Mainland China.

Since 2013, Leon has been involved in research projects focusing on architectural education and design pedagogies, e.g., “A Theoretical Study of Design Pedagogy: Exercise, Project and Program” (2012-14). His PhD research investigated the transplantation of narrative-based design pedagogy in China and its impact on China’s contemporary architectural education. Apart from design education, his current research explores tectonics and visual culture in architecture. Leon was also the Production Coordinator at the Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture (UABB Shenzhen) in 2013 and 2015; and in 2017, he was appointed as Production Manager in the Biennale curatorial team led by renowned art critic Hou Hanru.

As an architecture photographer, Leon has collaborated with a number of Hong Kong design studios, cultural and official institutions. His photographic work has been exhibited in Mirror Metropolis: Shenzhen-Taipei New Talent Photography Exhibition in 2016 and A Roam of the Mind in Nanshan District, as part of the Third Shenzhen International Photography Exhibition in 2019. As an artist, Leon presented his works at 2017 Shenzhen Design Week, 2019 UABB Shenzhen (the Dapeng Fortress sub-venue) and 2022 Bay Walk Art Programme in Bao’an, Shenzhen.